Do people outside of martial arts respect you skill?

[SolidTiger]

The reason why I ask this question is because I wonder how people respect your ability, because some people think martial
arts is bull. I know because I ran into a couple, and their mostly
cowards because they know I do martial arts but they won't never test me. I guest because of a deep fear of what they don't
understand. They only know what they see on tv about martial
arts, and so they are ignorant to you skill. So it's always been a
kind of respect their always for me.

Thank You

SolidTiger

[Kirk]

For me personally, my closest friends all of the sudden act like
I can bend steel with my pinky. We used to always joke with
each other and say things like, "I'll kick your ass" without ever
knowing who could kick who's. Now they say "okay, I can't do
anything about that, since you "know"
kenpo. :confused: (9 months total training).

Of if I'm driving, and someone cuts me off, or does some similar
boneheaded manuever, my buddy will get ticked and go "he'd
better watch it, or you'll kenpo his ass" :shrug:

[fist of fury]

Originally posted by Kirk

For me personally, my closest friends all of the sudden act like
I can bend steel with my pinky. We used to always joke with
each other and say things like, "I'll kick your ass" without ever
knowing who could kick who's. Now they say "okay, I can't do
anything about that, since you "know"
kenpo. :confused: (9 months total training).

Of if I'm driving, and someone cuts me off, or does some similar
boneheaded manuever, my buddy will get ticked and go "he'd
better watch it, or you'll kenpo his ass" :shrug:

that's not good especially once they see how bad you actually are. Then they'll never repsect you.

[SolidTiger]

I really don't care if they think I could bend steel, but I know for
a fact I could defend myself if I had to. I mean the people who do
martial arts do not have the same type of fear as people who only
know what they see on tv.

Thank You

SolidTiger

" Don't watch to much cartoons"

[Kirk]

Originally posted by SolidTiger

I really don't care if they think I could bend steel, but I know for
a fact I could defend myself if I had to. I mean the people who do
martial arts do not have the same type of fear as people who only
know what they see on tv.

Thank You

SolidTiger

" Don't watch to much cartoons"

Hmmm, can you expand on this? How do you KNOW you can,
unless you have an actual altercation? People who do martial
arts still have to have an significant amount of training before
what they've learned can be effective, don't they? I can hit a
bag, and work technique lines all day long, but that doesn't
give me any confidence that I'll be able to defend myself
attiquately.

[Eraser]

Hey....

I know that my friends think that Its awesome that im involved in MA... my parentss.. especially my Mother.. is my biggest supporter.. (thanks MOM :asian: )
My best friends husband now takes the same classes that I do..
The only trouble maker.. if you can call him that is my brother-in-Law... who always tries to get me to retaliate when he starts bugging me.. but i always tell him he's not worth the mental effort.. that always seems to work!!!

Nothing negative over her in my part of the woods...
its all cool!!:cool:

[SolidTiger]

I know I can defend myself because I've taken six years of kungfu and the art of self defense. I know how to move really
good, I can move like a animal from my kung fu training. I've
taken two years of kenpo, and from kenpo I learned more self defense and how to protect myself, I know how to counter a lot
of crap people throw. I mean to defeat me you can't be no rookie.

Thank You

SolidTiger

" I wish only what can be done"

[Shinzu]

people will often respect you more by the way you carry yourself. not by telling them how much you know or by making silly bruce lee noises.

[karatekid1975]

The most "trouble" I had as far as people "testing" me was my best friend's kid (who's 16) didn't believe that I could kick him in the head LOL. After enough "bugging" from him, I casually bonked him on the side of the head lightly, and sat back down to watch TV LOL. He never bugged me since LOL ;)

I was attacked in AC, NJ, but that don't count. The jurk didn't know I knew MA. I just kicked his ass LOL. It wasn't funny then, but it is now :rofl:

[SolidTiger]

I'm talking about testing you like coming at you with a punch
or weapon. No one ever tested me like that, and I'm short but
in real good shape....

Thank You

SolidTiger

" Be like water soft and hard"

[LanceWildcat1]

A few do, some don't. The one's who don't, I am not worried about. If I need the 'arts', they're there. Some friends and other student's know that I study martial arts, but they don't make a big deal out of it. I look at it this way: I got into the 'arts' to help build my body after a devastating illness and to learn some defensive/offensive arts. I do study the 'arts', and what someone else thinks of it is of little consequence to me one way or the other. :cool:

[SolidTiger]

I always keep my guard wherever I am, because I can't predict
the future. I don't won't to turn my back on no one I feel threated
by. When we ignor a situation the situation could turn bad without you knowing, and you will be open to attack when you
turn your back...

Thank You

SolidTiger

"look with the eyes in front of your face"

[tshadowchaser]

AS I've said in other posts I used to walk to work through the middle of some gang territoy and actualy on the border of three major warring gangs, each day. I only had to defend myslef a couple of times once against a hopped up meth freak, the other on a basketball (jungle ball) court. Anything went in that game and someone got ticked because I didn't cower in fear when he charged me.
Some of the gangs would be warring and shotting anything that moved in their area , but they left me alone. Sitting over a few (ok a lot ) of beers one day one of the gang members told me I had a rep on the streets because of the way I walked and the way I made eye contact, and what my body and eyes said. I had never been told this befor and it caught me off guard but other told me the same thing later.
Ok, not bragging, just trying to make a point. you don't have to fight or strut with a macho swager to impress people . I've seen people that I knew where bad juju to mess with and they where not even paying attention to anyone that was not at their table they just radiated that something.

now as to how others feel about my martial arts study I dont usualy bring up the subject to strangers and those that know me , well I'm as impressed with some of the stuff they can do. We all have something we are good and like to be known for. Me I like to be know for being friendly and fair in my treatment of other people


Shadow:asian:

[tshadowchaser]

An after thought

Sometimes being a martial artest is knowing when to smile or say good mornig. Knowing when tokeep calmly walking and how to nod to reconise those arount you.
When someone cuts you off on the highway remembering you know "karate" and remembering they may know 45, 9mm, ak.

Shadow:asian:

[Matt Stone]

Who cares? I go out of my way to avoid the topic altogether with people I know aren't training...

First, I could talk for hours about this stuff, and second, they don't understand the obsession anyway.

So to be polite, I steer clear of the topic entirely.

[Rich Parsons]

Originally posted by tshadowchaser

An after thought

Sometimes being a martial artest is knowing when to smile or say good mornig. Knowing when tokeep calmly walking and how to nod to reconise those arount you.
When someone cuts you off on the highway remembering you know "karate" and remembering they may know 45, 9mm, ak.

Shadow:asian:

A great point Shadow,

When I meet people and just give them the respect head nod, this goes a long way to get you going where you want to go. Confidence is good, and respect of others. Wow neat concepts, that I like.

Have a nice day

Rich

[Rich Parsons]

Originally posted by Yiliquan1

Who cares? I go out of my way to avoid the topic altogether with people I know aren't training...

First, I could talk for hours about this stuff, and second, they don't understand the obsession anyway.

So to be polite, I steer clear of the topic entirely.

Good post Yiliquan1,

I even tell new students, to NOT tell anyone that they have started to train in a martial art. Some people get all stupid and want to test you. Others think that you have some new secret. It is not worth the conflict.

If the subject comes up, I do not lie nor do I deny that I train or teach, but I do not make it public knowledge. Point in fact, the other day my Dad asked what rank was I? He came to my Brown and first Black test, but after that he just knew 'I have been training for a long time'. His words not mine.

If the knowledge is not common public knowledge then that removes the target from you. :)

Have a nice day and good replies

Rich
:asian:

[SolidTiger]

What if you can't avoid it, you have to act or you will end up
the one hurt. So that's why I take threats serious, somebody
say their going to do something to me I get ready for it, and
whatever I have to do I do it. I mean I've been threaten but
never attacked.

Thank you

SolidTiger

[Matt Stone]

...getting ready to train with RyuShiKan, and some guy walked up to us and asked me what "art" I studied...

I said sculpture, and sometimes painting. Then I tried to walk away.

Usually when folks ask that kind of question, they are either interested in training, or just asking to be asking. Either way, my answer will serve little real purpose.

If they want to train, they will come out and say so, or follow us and watch for a while.

If they are just asking to be asking, then no matter what I say, they will go away in a moment or two anyway...

:samurai: :samurai:

[FUZZYJ692000]

I think that people who don't take martial arts can actually respect the arts. Now I'm not saying all people just some. Most of the people I know are like "wow, you do karate? That's so cool. I bet you can kick my butt." They are always trying to get me to fight them or something, especially my older brother and his friends. We always used to wrestle and now instead of me getting into those sticky situations and getting my face in the ground they are. But other than that, I don't see where I have to prove myself to anyone. If they want to see me do something they are more than welcomed to come to the dojo and watch and sometimes participate. If they think it's cool that's all good, if not, then they can tease and whatever else, but I know what I am and am not capable of doing. Sometimes though my Sensei has more confidence in my ability than I do so I have to get a nudge.

[MTisGreat]

when ppl hear martial arts, they think karate or kung fu....etc. ppl who dont do MA are amazed but ppl who do are like "ok"..

then there are those toughguys who think they.re all that. they would be mocking MAist, doing that stand on one leg like in "karate kid"...they're ignorant. they dont know anything whatsoever..

i do MT, if ppl dont respect it, thats fine, but if they talk then theres a problem

[karatekid1975]

I agree with tshadowchaser. It has to do with body language. If you don't walk around like a "wimp" or weekling, you won't appear to be one. I was taught this in TSD, and I will always remember this. Hold your head up, make eye contact, and don't look at the floor/ground. Knowing MA helps, but body language is everything in some situations. I wish I knew this earlier in TSD before I was attacked, but I knew enough to walk away.

[GouRonin]

Originally posted by SolidTiger
I mean to defeat me you can't be no rookie.

There is an old saying. "The best swordsman in France doesn't fear the second best swordsman in France. he fears the worst swordsman in France. You just never know what he will do."

The funny thing is it will be some guy who knows nothing about fighting who will hand you your @ss. Fighting is like dancing. It has it's own rhythm. Ever try to dance with someone who doesn't know how to dance? It's a whole new ball game.

As for me. My friends used to expect me to get into fights. Hell, I'd be looking for them before I got into boxing and martial arts. Now I'm much calmer. So they never ask me to show them anything I learned. Well...usually it's because they end up being hurt. One or two demos and they stopped asking. Used to be when I wanted to go I could expect them to back me up. Now when I stand up because I'm pissed off...they clear. No one likes to be caught in friendly fire I guess. Only my martial arts friends and my brawler friends hang in there.

I still get excited when I think about the time Renegade :erg: , Jaybacca, and a few of us almost had to draw down in that Biker bar. The adrenaline rush was so great that after I had to hold my beer with 2 hands just like my momma taught me when I was 2. Ha!

[SolidTiger]

I think it is respect thats why I never been tested, I mean if I look
like a coward. I would of got tested a long time ago, I just know some would have tried something. So I do think because I never showed no fear to them dirt bags, So that alone is something for
them to fear. Not knowing what's about to happen, but you know
that person can fight.

Thank you

SolidTiger

[GouRonin]

Originally posted by MTisGreat
then there are those toughguys who think they.re all that. they would be mocking MAist, doing that stand on one leg like in "karate kid"...they're ignorant. they dont know anything whatsoever..

This one time Jaybacca and I were at this guy's place and his buddy starts doing the one legged crane stance and making bruce lee noises to make fun.

Jaybacca reaches over and shoves the guy lightly with a finger and because the guy is off balance he falls over the couch. Jaybacca laughes a bit and says, "I really have to work on my death touch."

[Chiduce]

I don't mind talking to non-martial arts people as a martial artist. Though, when training as an individual or as a group i/we find a quiet secluded spot to train. As far as people asking, it is usually when i wear a t-shirt with chinese writing in english or my dragon kenpo jujitsu hat, that i get questions. Most people are a little curious about what the writing says. Now at work, we have tile layered cinder blocks. When i feel like cultivating and transferring qi to my hands i break the blocks with an open palm strike! The guys on the loading dock watch from time to time. Other times, no one is watching. So, i guess i could say that there is some respect for skills at work. For me, the martial arts is not an obsession, but a way of life. Sincerely, In Humility; Chiduce!

[The 14th Style]

I really don't tell anybody what I am doing. You always get that person who grabs you and says "what would you do if I did this or did that". It's a waste of my time.
My teacher is a very private person. He has been doing Eskrima for over 20 years, but dosen't really talk about it. I knew him for 4 years before I found out. He always told me his biggest goal in a fight was getting to his truck without hitting someone.
I have friends that know and ask me about it. And lord knows I can talk somebodys ear off about it. But I try to keep it to myself. And anyway most of the people I talk to have never heard of it anyway!

[SolidTiger]

Will some martial artist is secreative about their art, they go
for the full effected. Me I really don't care if the whole world
know I do martial arts. I don't know why martial artist is secreative about what they practice. I mean if we stop being
so secreative we can learn a lot more, and plus their will be
a increase in styles and martial artist.

Thank You

SolidTiger

[Kirk]

Originally posted by Yiliquan1

...getting ready to train with RyuShiKan, and some guy walked up to us and asked me what "art" I studied...

I said sculpture, and sometimes painting. Then I tried to walk away.

Usually when folks ask that kind of question, they are either interested in training, or just asking to be asking. Either way, my answer will serve little real purpose.

If they want to train, they will come out and say so, or follow us and watch for a while.

If they are just asking to be asking, then no matter what I say, they will go away in a moment or two anyway...

:samurai: :samurai:


So if you're out of the town you live in, and you see someone in
a ghi of some sort, that you can't recognize, and he's doing a
kata that you don't recognize ... what would you ask him?

Let's say you move to some tiny nowhere town, and are having
trouble finding an m.a. school anywhere, let alone in your style.
And then lo and behold a the "Y", there's a guy who looks like
he's the first member of his m.a. class waiting for the others to
show up, and you can't tell what style he practices. What would
you ask him?

Let's say you're practicing the only style that is available in your
area, but you have a MAJOR interest in another style. You can't
find that style anywhere in your town, but you see someone
doing a kata/form/weapon/whatever that MIGHT be of that style.
What would you ask him?

Would a reply of "sculpture, and sometimes painting" and then
him/her walking away from you be satisfactory to you? How
many fellow m.a.ists have YOU walked away from? How many
potential students? How many who could have taught you
something? What if one of those kids could have been the next
Bruce Lee, Ed Parker, Royce Gracie, but YOU walked away leaving
him the impression that m.a.ists are rude people with big egos?


Sorry to be harsh, but the fact of the matter is, if I'd have met
a kenpoist years ago, that was willing to talk to me about the
style ... I would've been a kenpoist years ago, instead of months
ago.

[SolidTiger]

Originally posted by Kirk




So if you're out of the town you live in, and you see someone in
a ghi of some sort, that you can't recognize, and he's doing a
kata that you don't recognize ... what would you ask him?

Let's say you move to some tiny nowhere town, and are having
trouble finding an m.a. school anywhere, let alone in your style.
And then lo and behold a the "Y", there's a guy who looks like
he's the first member of his m.a. class waiting for the others to
show up, and you can't tell what style he practices. What would
you ask him?

Let's say you're practicing the only style that is available in your
area, but you have a MAJOR interest in another style. You can't
find that style anywhere in your town, but you see someone
doing a kata/form/weapon/whatever that MIGHT be of that style.
What would you ask him?

Would a reply of "sculpture, and sometimes painting" and then
him/her walking away from you be satisfactory to you? How
many fellow m.a.ists have YOU walked away from? How many
potential students? How many who could have taught you
something? What if one of those kids could have been the next
Bruce Lee, Ed Parker, Royce Gracie, but YOU walked away leaving
him the impression that m.a.ists are rude people with big egos?


Sorry to be harsh, but the fact of the matter is, if I'd have met
a kenpoist years ago, that was willing to talk to me about the
style ... I would've been a kenpoist years ago, instead of months
ago.

[SolidTiger]

That is deep, I never thought of that.

Thank you for your wisdom kirk

SolidTiger

[Kirk]

Originally posted by SolidTiger

That is deep, I never thought of that.

Thank you for your wisdom kirk

SolidTiger

Okay, that just sounded too funny. Me .... wise! :rofl:

[SolidTiger]

I think if your not wise when you first start, you become
overtime. With all the training and all the study and hardwork
you go though. I think you learn something, when I first started
I only ask questions now I have answers...

Thank you

SolidTiger

[The 14th Style]

Hmm, in my case it's not that I'm very secretive. I'm more than happy to talk about it. But as a some Arnis, Kali, Eskrima people can probably tell you, the first question I usually get is, so what do you do if you don't have a weapon in your hand? Or, I think training with weapons first is backwards. I don't get upset answering these questions. But I just don't advertise. Maybe it's just me.

Most of my training is backyard , so to speak. So I just don't talk about it.

I train at a local park with a good friend that also does Eskrima. We have occasionally had people watch us. Sometimes they come up and ask what we are doing. We both always take a moment to answer politely and to the best of our ability. Russ

[Dronak]

I've been training for less than a year and our teacher is pushing us along rather quickly. I honestly don't think I have any great amount of skill at what I've learned so far. I may have gotten the moves down and such, but I'm sure there's plenty more I need to work on to improve.

Our teacher said the same sort of thing about keeping our training to ourselves. He said telling a few classmates or whatever is fine, but you don't want it to be public knowledge that you're trained in martial arts. I've told a few people around here about it, one or two classmates, the people in my house know (they sometimes see me walking in or out with my weapons now), and I've told a few people from our ballroom dancing crowd about it, too. Fortunately, everyone seems educated enough to talk nicely about it, ask what sort of style it is and such. Since we hold our classes on the university campus, we do sometimes see those jerks passing by, the ones making "Bruce Lee noises" as GouRonin put it and stuff. We normally just ignore them. People who see us and want to talk, we talk to, but they normally have some actual interest either in joining the club or just knowing what it is we're doing. I don't mind talking about it either, but for the most part I don't offer up the information unsolicited.

[SolidTiger]

I was not trying to attack you, I just wonted to learn why are
some styles are so secreative?

Thank you

SolidTiger

[GouRonin]

Originally posted by SolidTiger
I think if your not wise when you first start, you become
overtime. With all the training and all the study and hardwork
you go though. I think you learn something, when I first started
I only ask questions now I have answers...

I think martial arts have no more to do with wisdom than tiddly winks and that people who have this image in their head that all people who study martial arts will become wise, are deluded.


Originally posted by SolidTiger
Thank you

You're welcome.

[SolidTiger]

You don't think someone who makes it from a white belt to a black belt is not wise. To pass all the test is not a easy thing to
do.

Thank you

SolidTiger

[The 14th Style]

I was not trying to attack you, I just wonted to learn why are
some styles are so secreative?

Thank you

SolidTiger



Hi SolidTiger, I'm not sure if this comment was directed at me. But if it was, let me assure you that I did not take it as an attack in any way.
At first my teacher didn't want us to tell anybody because,

#1) He didn't want to answer questions about it at work( we worked together at the time).

#2) He didn't want anymore students, and didn't want to teach classes (he ony taught myself and my two Friends) and didn't want people calling or asking for lessons

#3) He is very burned out on the whole political Martial arts thing. ( My art is better than yours, Mc dojo, etc, that sort of thing)

#4) And to be honest he is just a very private person.
Thanks Russ

[GouRonin]

Originally posted by SolidTiger
You don't think someone who makes it from a white belt to a black belt is not wise. To pass all the test is not a easy thing to
do.

I do not think that just because a person studies ANY martial art that they will become wise. Becoming wise has nothing to do at all with martial arts.

[SolidTiger]

I cant believe what you are saying that! wisdom is a big part
of all martial arts. How many people arts don't have sayings
of wisdom, and who would won't to say their art is not wise or
martial art have nothing to do with gaining wisdom.

Thank You

SolidTiger

[jaybacca72]

tiger you have wisdom and knowledge confused.if you recieve martial arts training for some time you gain knowledge,but that doesn't necessarily mean you will know how to apply the knowledge properly(which is wisdom)and when to apply it.this has nothing to do with physical training with what i am referring to,if you have been in the game long enough you will know where iam coming from.
later
jay
ps iam just a wookie in the clouds
haha!:D

[SolidTiger]

I did not learn my style like that, I learned that martial arts
is 80% Mental And 20% Physical. Because without the mind
the body don't work, I know what I'm talking about the wisdom
of knowing right from wrong. The words of wisdom at the end of
class. The wisdom your sensei teaches you like good life decisons.
I have a list I got from my sensei, he did not write it but he gave
us some type of wisdom after every class. Martial art is Not only what you can see are do, but what you learn about life.

It's not only self defense..

Thank You

SolidTiger

[sweeper]

I never realy tell people I practice a martial art, it's not that I hide it I just don't bring it up. Only a few of my freinds know and I don't think they treat me any diffrent. I don't hang around the kind of people that "challenge" others so that may be part of it. People I have met respected me before I practiced MA and they do now, actualy I don't think practicing has changed my personality very much..

As to wisdom and MA, I don't think a few sayings can teach wisdom, I don't even think wisdom can realy be taught to someone, I think you have to learn it on your own.

[Matt Stone]

Let me preface my responses by saying that I am in the Army, and that practicing martial arts on a military installation, contrary to what common sense would dictate, is frowned upon by most soldiers. Most soldiers, in true American fashion, are of the mindset that "chop sockey kah roddy" isn't worth a damn, and they spend great energies mocking and criticizing anyone that practices publicly at one of our fitness centers. It has gotten a lot better over the years, but the knuckleheads are still there. The particular knucklehead I spoke of in my earlier post was one of those types that asks, but had little interest in hearing the answers as he already had his version of reality firmly emplaced and had little interest in adding to his already full cup... :rolleyes:

Anyway...


Originally posted by Kirk

So if you're out of the town you live in, and you see someone in
a ghi of some sort, that you can't recognize, and he's doing a
kata that you don't recognize ... what would you ask him?

Well, seeing as how I have more than enough to keep me busy for the next lifetime or so... ;)

Seriously, though, I wouldn't ask him anything. I would probably watch for a while, maybe ask if he/she (gotta be fair on this point - I had a female aikido teacher once upon a time) comes there regularly, might ask what it was they were doing. If I got a smart ass answer like the ones I give out, I would be able to anticipate that either a) he/she is a smart ass (like me) or b) he/she is tired of the constant flow of the ignorant masses coming up and asking goofy questions that they really don't want answers to in the first place...


Let's say you move to some tiny nowhere town, and are having trouble finding an m.a. school anywhere, let alone in your style. And then lo and behold a the "Y", there's a guy who looks like he's the first member of his m.a. class waiting for the others to show up, and you can't tell what style he practices. What would you ask him?

That would be every military base I have ever been to... Depending on the uniform, I might or might not be inclined to ask. Typically, the most common martial arts on or around a military post are McDojang Tae Kwon Do with semi-cultist leanings, or some home-grown, self appointed/promoted wannabe with his own made up martial art. Not interested. I have been lucky here in Japan to find good training off the installation (thanks RyuShiKan! :asian: ) and some on (thanks NBCDECON! :asian: ), but the majority of training that has been conducted on the installation is the kind that would qualify as "Bad Budo" on other forums... :confused: :angry:


Let's say you're practicing the only style that is available in your area, but you have a MAJOR interest in another style. You can't find that style anywhere in your town, but you see someone doing a kata/form/weapon/whatever that MIGHT be of that style. What would you ask him?

Personally speaking, given the small nature of a military installation's community to begin with, and the considerably smaller martial arts community on a military installation, I can say that in time we all end up meeting at one point or another. We seem to gravitate toward each other.

However, speaking hypothetically, if I were inclined to inquire into what that person was doing, see my above comments... watch, ask for regularity of training, come back and watch again, allow the person to see that I am actually interested not just asking questions for the sake of asking questions.


Would a reply of "sculpture, and sometimes painting" and then him/her walking away from you be satisfactory to you? How many fellow m.a.ists have YOU walked away from? How many potential students? How many who could have taught you
something? What if one of those kids could have been the next
Bruce Lee, Ed Parker, Royce Gracie, but YOU walked away leaving
him the impression that m.a.ists are rude people with big egos?

You will note, upon rereading my original comments, I attempted to walk away. I was unsuccessful, as the knucklehead in question pursued and continued talking. I didn't want to appear overly rude (I was, after all, on my way to work out, not to grab a coffee and have a debate), so I listened, interacted, and politely terminated the conversation.

How many fellow MAists have I walked away from? Probably lots. How many have walked away from me? Probably lots. Not sure of the relevance on that question...

How many potential students have I walked away from? Probably quite a few, however if they weren't serious enough about training with me to come back or to pursue the issue properly, forgive me here, but I don't want them as students. There was a good article years ago in IKF written by Dan Inosanto that talked about the fire in a potential student's belly to train. Inosanto wrote that his teacher had told him that if you were to have your head held under water until just before you passed out, that need to breathe, that burning urge to struggle to get air again, is the fire a student should have for training...

Sorry to seem harsh. I doubt most students have that kind of fire anyway (I know I didn't when I was younger... Thankfully times change and so have I). But if they were put off by one smart ass comment, then they wouldn't have been too serious about training even if I had indulged them...


Sorry to be harsh, but the fact of the matter is, if I'd have met a kenpoist years ago, that was willing to talk to me about the style ... I would've been a kenpoist years ago, instead of months ago.

No worries! Not harsh, just direct, to the point questions. Good examples, too, I might add. And I feel for you on your kenpo training... Had I been more motivated during my early years, I would have gotten a lot more done than I did.

Gambarimasu!

:samurai: :samurai:

[sweeper]

if a potential student is ignorant of what ever it is he/she has potential to study, than they can't have that pasion you speak of. From my experience alot of people are pritty iffy untill they start to learn some, than they either slack off, leave, or take it seriously. That's most certainly been how I have gotten involved in all of my hobbies/intrests, I have never come into anything with pasion for it because I genneraly don't know what it is I am comming to.

[Matt Stone]

Originally posted by sweeper

if a potential student is ignorant of what ever it is he/she has potential to study, than they can't have that pasion you speak of.[From my experience alot of people are pritty iffy untill they start to learn some, than they either slack off, leave, or take it seriously. That's most certainly been how I have gotten involved in all of my hobbies/intrests, I have never come into anything with pasion for it because I genneraly don't know what it is I am comming to.

Which is why I said that most students don't have that kind of motivation to begin with. It is hard to have a strong passion about something until you know at least a little about it (although I have run into martial arts students that had very little information about martial arts in general, much less the art they were studying, and they were still very passionate about it... :confused: ).

Which takes me back to the point that if they are interested enough to pursue the issue, to keep coming back, then they really do want to know. I went to see my Sifu every night for a week before I joined. I had no idea whatsoever about what he did or what I was getting myself into, but I knew I wanted to study martial arts. After that week was over, I knew about him, his art, the school, and what to expect. I didn't get all that info in one 5 minute conversation in a hallway, though...

[chufeng]

...and I might point out that Matt Stone's Sifu went back to a house, where he "thought" a Chinese martial arts teacher lived, seven times...the first six times he was told "Chen doesn't live here." But he persisted...and we, every PaiXingQuan and YiLiQuan student, have reaped the benefits of THAT kind of "fire in the belly."

...Sifu says that for every one hundred students that enroll in class, only ten will stay for a year or more. Of those, only one will make Senior rank...BUT we never know who that ONE is...so, with few exceptions, I now take anyone who wants to train...if he/she is serious, it will show in the training...if not, they make great targets for the serious ones ;)

:asian:
chufeng

[Matt Stone]

While this one particular instance I acted distant to some knucklehead asking goofy questions (that he subsequently answered himself after soliciting my opinion and disagreeing with it - not that I'm an authority, mind you, but everyone seems to want to paint the prospective student as an innocent in this drama, which often is not the case), I have been, and continue to be, open toward new training opportunities, both for myself as well as others.

I currently train with my own students (I teach Yiliquan to a few friends, and Taijiquan to some others), as well as other martial artists in their arts (RyuShiKan with RyuTe Renmei Karate, NBCDECON with Modern Arnis, and when I move in September, I will continue my Modern Arnis training with Datu Kelly Worden and will begin Shinto Muso-ryu Jojutsu with Sensei Phil Relnick). When I inquired about training, it was after research and inquiries made into those arts.

If someone comes to me, asks me questions, asks for information, and decides to train with me or my association, great. If someone comes to me, asks me questions, asks for information, and decides what I do is not to their liking, I go out of my way to help them find something that is... I am more than willing to work with someone, train with anyone so long as we are both learning somehow, etc. But the ones that come up asking questions they already "know" the answers to, the ones that want to challenge you or your legitimacy, the ones that are doing nothing more than trying to "count coup" on you, those are the ones I usually blow off...

There is a member of our Northwestern Association that started out just asking silly questions. I came into his place of work, and he saw a ring I was wearing. He asked what college it was from. I told him it wasn't a college ring, and turned away. He asked what school it was from. I told him it was from a martial arts school, and turned away. He asked what kind of martial arts school. I told him Chinese kung fu, and turned away. Up to that point, I was ready to dig his eyes out of his head with a ball point pen - I was busy and didn't want to waste time with this guy. Then he started in on questions about what I thought of this system versus that system, whether it was better to study X or Y, etc. I was annoyed, but less so now, as the questions were genuine, sincere, valid questions. We talked, exchanged email addresses, and he has been with our Association for two years now...

I'm not the jerk I seem to be sometimes, really... :D

Gambarimasu.

:samurai: :samurai:

[sweeper]

didn't mean to sound like I thought you were doing something wrong, just posting my perspective :-)

[SolidTiger]

"Sure no one is that big of a jerk".

When I train I never say I don't wont to do this , I don't wont
to do that. I just do what I got to do so I can make myself a
stronger fighter. When I learn all the styles I wont to learn, someday I will teach my style that I develop, my style to coup with
my philosopy on fighting. When I finish I will teach it to anybody
who wants to learn enough. Who wont's to learn my style is going
to have to be a hard worker, and I'm going to have questions for
my test for differant test.

Thank You

SolidTiger

[GouRonin]

One of the problems of creating your own style is that while it may work for you it might not work for anyone BUT you.

Many of the popular and long lasting arts that have done this, such as American Kenpo and Modern Arnis, were done with the idea in mind that these arts can be taught to anyone and made to be effective for them. In essence they tailor to the individual and the individual doesn't have to conform to the art. They became successful and long lasting because anyone can learn and use them and not have to fit into the art.

This may be something you might want to look at when creating your art.

[Bob Hubbard]

Put another way, if your systems a lot of kicks (because youre 6-5, and got long legs) how will a short person be able to pearn it?

Example only there. I've heard stories about Remy Presas that he would adapt the art on the spot to allow people to explore it.

Do alot of research and you should have a good chance at it.

:asian:

[Yari]

Originally posted by SolidTiger

"Sure no one is that big of a jerk".

When I train I never say I don't wont to do this , I don't wont
to do that. I just do what I got to do so I can make myself a
stronger fighter. When I learn all the styles I wont to learn, someday I will teach my style that I develop, my style to coup with
my philosopy on fighting. When I finish I will teach it to anybody
who wants to learn enough. Who wont's to learn my style is going
to have to be a hard worker, and I'm going to have questions for
my test for differant test.

Thank You

SolidTiger

For me it sounds like you've already made your mind up. So what are you waiting for?

/Yari

[chufeng]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Yiliquan1

[
There is a member of our Northwestern Association that started out just asking silly questions. I came into his place of work, and he saw a ring I was wearing. He asked what college it was from. I told him it wasn't a college ring, and turned away. He asked what school it was from. I told him it was from a martial arts school, and turned away. He asked what kind of martial arts school. I told him Chinese kung fu, and turned away. Up to that point, I was ready to dig his eyes out of his head with a ball point pen - I was busy and didn't want to waste time with this guy. Then he started in on questions about what I thought of this system versus that system, whether it was better to study X or Y, etc. I was annoyed, but less so now, as the questions were genuine, sincere, valid questions. We talked, exchanged email addresses, and he has been with our Association for two years now...

...and, that young man IS very serious about his training...
he has the "fire" :) Thanks for the referral Fatman...

:asian:
chufeng

[SolidTiger]

Originally posted by Yari



For me it sounds like you've already made your mind up. So what are you waiting for?

/Yari

I am only nineteen right now about to turn twenty, I've got
a lot more to learn. I won't my style to be complete with all
the parts I'm thinking about.

I been thinking of the physics the philosophy and the training,
I just won't to learn more that's all.

Thank you

SolidTiger

[Seig]

Originally posted by FUZZYJ692000

Sometimes though my Sensei has more confidence in my ability than I do so I have to get a nudge.
A nudge? How about a flat out kick in the :moon: I know what you are capable of. Once you learn it too, your confidence will grow.:asian:

[SolidTiger]

" Yes the more you learn the more overconfident you get"

Thank You

SolidTiger

[adrenaline]

I think the best way to solve a problem when someone comes up to you and asks if art X can beat art Y is just to take on what they say maybe they can make some valid points if they are involved on the martial arts but if they are just trying to make their art seem better than another I would just agree with what they say especially if they have no MA background and laugh as soon as the conversation ended and analyse what the person said.

Another thing, the martial arts itself may not get me a lot respect but it is the things martial arts help me to do like sayin no to smoking even when im among people who smoke and no to drugs. Some people I know say it is good that I have the will power to say to those things and respect a person more who says no then one who smokes and takes drugs.

If you are getting a lot of respect for your martial arts people may be taking the mick like saying you could break a steel bar or something. That's like what people who don't have much knowledge of martial arts might say. If you get in a fight and get out of it without actually harming the other person I think some people will say you handled the situation better but some people will give respect to a person who knocked the living s*** out of a person.

I think it depends on the type of people you consider your friends if you are friends with people who respect you for certain aspects of you doing MA I would worry about how the type of respect they gave me. But I wouldn't worry about the type of respect people who thought they were tough and went around acting tough thought of me.


:asian:

[tshadowchaser]

This thread has bounced around a couple of ideas so let me put my two cents in here.

About being serious about studying, I used to hich hick 75 miles each way to get to my instructors A darn lot of walking back loney roads some nights. The reward If I was late I only did 50 insted of 100 push ups befor starting I could to the rest befor I left. And I got to study after the others went home some nights.
I went to his school 3 times befor he agreed to let me study.


Most of the time I try to ignor the street punk or I'll give him a "not now maybe when I'm rested " or" come back another night", if they ask if I want to fight . If they come back enough they either study with me or watch enough of class so they realise they do not want to spar with my people

Shadow

[SolidTiger]

I think people would respect anyone who is doing something good in their life, but people would respect you more if you can stand up for your and hold your head high. It's a matter of self-confidants, because even if you do take a few martial art classes it all don't matter without confidence. You got to have confidence in your skill if not it's useless. Not having confidence makes you a target for gangmembers, and they know they could tell you to do whatever they won't. They can put a gun in your hand and tell you if you don't kill this person they will kill you, and if you have no
selfconfidence you will most likely pull the trigger. Then if you kill someone you will go to jail for murder. will, what I'm trying to say is that you need to have confidence in yourself, or you will always
find yourself being tested. If you have confidence people will respect that.

Thank You

SolidTiger

[Nightingale]

I've ran into lots of people who don't respect my martial arts. My parents for one. I started when I was ten, and they have never once come to a tournament, and I've competed in hundreds. The first test my dad came to was my brown belt test. I was twenty years old. He walked in halfway through the test, and I was so surprised to see him because he'd said he wasn't going to go, that I completely lost my concentration and got hit by the punch my instructor had been expecting me to block. My mom has still never seen me do karate.

I haven't had a whole lot of friends have issues with my martial arts. Most of them have asked me to teach them something at one point or another, and I always do. It helps take the mystery out of it. They learn real quick that a few karate lessons don't make you a black belt, and that I've worked hard to get where I am, and I'm still probably a year or more away from that black belt test.

Friends tend to be fine, but dates are a whole other issue. I've had guys never call me again because they find out about karate. Its not like I'm talking like I'm bruce lee or anything, just a passing comment of "oh, I'm busy tomorrow night. I have a karate lesson...what about friday instead?" they mumble some excuse, hang up, and I never hear from them again. happened at least four times that I can remember with guys I was seeing in college. I think its some kind of intimidation thing...dunno. now I'm dating another martial artist, so he understands, so isn't an issue...

[SolidTiger]

Most people fear what they don't know or understand, I was watching this wildlife documentary on the world biggest cats. They were studing the world biggest lioness she wight 450 pounds, They shot the lioness that they wanted while all the lions was eating. So when the lioness that they wanted passout
the host of the show, walked up to all the lions when they was
feeding and all the lions ran. Now lions are really dangerous they
could kill you easy, but because the host study the lions behavior
he knew what to do and not to do. The lions ran because they did not understand the situation, I mean a human walking up to a pride of feeding lions takes a lot of confidence. I thought that he must really understand lions, to walk up on them while they are eating. What I'm trying to say is that most of what people don't understand they fear.

Thank you

SolidTiger

[DWright]

"I've ran into lots of people who don't respect my martial arts. My parents for one. ... My mom has still never seen me do karate.
][/QUOTE]

I have the same situation. I have been in martial arts or self defense training for the better part of 20 years. And I still get the same response from my mother after a big seminar, test or qualification, "Let's not talk shop." I don't think she sees this as an activity for a mom of young children. I suppose she would approve of quilting or some such.:D

[Monkey King]

Most non martial artists respect what you know. Most disrespect comes from those within our fold.

[Matt Stone]

Most non martial artists respect what you know. Most disrespect comes from those within our fold.

Funny you should say that.

While it is true that most blatant disrespect comes from "informed sources" (and those outside of the MA community could barely be called informed, though it is not their fault...), I have found that within military circles it is just the opposite...

Most of the non-MAists are fine to leave well enough alone. We are just a bunch of loosely packaged individuals content to jump about in our PJs while out in public... No worries.

However, there are the far too common bullet headed ignoramuses (or would that be ignorami?) that enjoy nothing more than to prod, cat call, and harass those who a) would rather be left alone or b) should be left alone.

While a civilian, I had a good number of encounters with other MAists, ranging from fellowship through to OPSEC. I actually had one guy tell me he couldn't engage me in conversation (even about non-MA related topics) because, since I was from another system, I was the enemy.

Whatever. :rolleyes:

But in the military, whenever I have encountered other MAists, be they from traditional styles or eclectic MMA blends, there has always been a mutual respect. Even among the folks that ought to reevaluate the ka-ka that they think amounts to martial arts, there is a great degree of mutual respect and courtesy.

Go figure.

Gambarimasu.

:samurai: :tank: :samurai:

[Monkey King]

or would that be ignorami?)

That's rich! :D

I would agree. Military personnel are a different ilk. Perhaps it's because they understand each other.

[fist of fury]

Originally posted by Yiliquan1




I actually had one guy tell me he couldn't engage me in conversation (even about non-MA related topics) because, since I was from another system, I was the enemy.



ROFL! How cold you keep a straight face, the enemy how sad.

[FUZZYJ692000]

I met a young man, 19, who had been teasing this girl about just because she was in MA that she was still a girl and couldn't actually fight. He kept instigating the situation and kept pushing her to spar with him. She told him if he needed proof of her MA training than he was more than welcome to come to class with her and see her and others in action. While there at her dojo, it wasn't enough. So he asked her instructor if he could spar her in class. The instructor apparently agreed. He said within the first 15 sec. he was ready to give up and was literally terrified of even being near her in the end. Since then he said he really hasn't been in contact with her in fear of humiliation for being so disrespectful to her and the fact of knowing he was beat up by a girl. I guess the point is that it was really sad to know that it took something so severe to get someone to respect someone in MA. However, he did mention that he had learned his lesson and now could understand that there is more to martial arts than going around bragging and beating up on people. :asian:

[drunken mistress]

People actually expect too much of you once they know you study a Martial Art. My son´s friends keep asking me to do Matrix-style moves. My son (7) once said: "You´ve got to teach me all you know about break-dancing so I can win a prize!" He has total faith in my abilities because I´m a belt higher at karate. He seems to forget I´m 49 which is probably just as well. If you wear your Gi out people give you a very wide berth. I once went down the local supermarket in mine as it was about to close and noticed people allowed yards of space around me instead of queing up close at the till. A green belt in my class leaves the shop she owns in uniform as a good deterrent against muggers.

[RCastillo]

It pays off greatly here at school. (I'm a H.S. teacher) People know enough to leave me alone. They know I'll move on them if they don't.:asian:

[IMAA]

Let me try to make noise here.

It's great for anyone to have an "extracurricular" activity after work, school, everyday life hustle and bustle. These are called hobbies. Every person does something that they themselves get's great pleasure out of. For us Martial Arts freaks its learning the culture, the way of the warrior arts of the east and elsewhere. Thats what we enjoy. Some people are terrified of it because they dont understand it.

Some other people enjoy drinking at a bar, dancing, preaching, singing, playing other sports, making money, traveling, etc... so on and so forth! The great thing is, anyone can do one or more of these extracurricular activities. & the great thing about MA is you can gain the pleasures of all these aforementioned activities all in what we do.

People I think look down on MA ( not all people) but in general those that do, do it out of jelousy, fear of it, or the fact they think its "sissyish"(sp). But its not considered sissy-ish to play a contact sport like Football, or rugby, etc...the thing is its something we do because we all find peace in our own way within it. It shouldnt matter what others think, if you enjoy it thats all that matters. Most people would not argue the fact that hobbie, or extracurricular activity is something we do to leave the stresses of normal day activities behind us for a few hours. And we do them to stay 'out of trouble'...it gives us something positive in our lives. Thusmore the MA also is great in beneficial in relaxing daily stress and its limitless you are building your mind, body and soul.

Thanks. hope that hits the spot!!!!

[markulous]

I usually get one extreme or the other. More often than not people scoff at the notion of me holding a high regard to my martial art. But then I do get those people that suddenly look at you differently and think you could kick anyones butt.

I've had a few people say "Get a life". I just say whatever :rolleyes: . They don't understand so I don't get angry with them.

[7starmantis]

I either get the Bruce Lee sound effects followed by the, "so you can kick my ass?" statement. Or I get the long life history of how they almost killed a guy once and have thus been banned from taking structured martial arts as they are to dangerous. Followed by a story of a 87th degree black belt whom they leveled with only a few punches.
:rolleyes:

7sm

[Shodan]

I just want to pipe in here for a second and say I admire Nightingale and DWright for keeping with the martial arts despite lack of parential support. That is great that you guys have both pursued your interests anyway. I don't know where I'd be today with my martial arts if my parents didn't back me up all the way.

Keep up the good work you two!!

:asian: :karate:

[Black Bear]

Family is important, but beyond that, why do any of you care what others think of you? Do you feel you need an audience?

If people think martial arts is useless, so much the better. They won't see it coming if I have to take 'em out. No one around here tries to cultivate that piercing intense stare to cow others--you know, The Martial Arts Master look. We wear clothes and shoes that you can move well in, and may have a clipit or two, but basically look like anyone else. We ARE like anyone else. Like someone else said, we've just picked a different leisure than those who picked, say, gardening, or community theatre, or marathoning. And besides, we make better ghosts in this society.

When you wear a gi in public, people don't step away from you because they think you're badass. They step away because they think you're a nut. There, I said it.

Everything that you have just read is false. Nobody believes it, not even the person who wrote it. So don't tell me why I'm wrong. Just go back to the Walmart in your hakama and test out the various broomsticks to see which makes the best jo.

[Josh]

hehe. i like Black Bear. he's got martial skill. he's funny. good stuff.

[RCastillo]

Originally posted by Josh
hehe. i like Black Bear. he's got martial skill. he's funny. good stuff.

Even worse. Look at his avatar. He's got anger management problems!;)

[7starmantis]

I think even family isn't extremely important as far as agreeing with your MA training. Mine thought is wrong for most of my life. Your training is simply for you, no one else.

Now, having said that, Its not something to just shrug off what others think of us. One of us represents all of us to the average joe. People respect our hard work, and our discipline, we should cherish that and do nothing to stop them from respecting that. While there are those who think your a nut, most deep down act that way because they wish they could have the discipline to do something liek that themselves.

7sm

[Black Bear]

Well this is the martial arts forum, not the family therapy forum... but it sounded like some of the folks might be adolescents or something, in which case what parents think does matter, and you do want to get them on board. I was thinking mainly immediate, nuclear family. Like if you have a hobby or interest that your spouse has strong negative feelings about, then that's an issue. Ah, never mind.

[KenpoTex]

To start with I would like to say that this has been a very interesting thread and I think that many valid points have been made...now for my 2 cents. I really don't care if people know if I study M.A. if someone asks I will tell them and all my friends know b/c whenever they call they get the "I would like to but I've got class" line.
That being said, I don't go around broadcasting the fact that I study M.A. my philosophy is that if someone doesn't know I study, and they instigate a fight that I can't talk my way out of I'm going to have the element of suprise on my side when I respond. Also, in my experience, the people that have to let everyone know that they study M.A., in other words, those that make sure you know how much of a bad a__ they are usually aren't as bad as they have convinced themselves that they are.
As far as the issue of respect, if someone respects you because of your martial arts training but doesn't respect you as a person, or wouldn't respect you if they didn't know about your M.A. do you really care about their opinion? I sure as heck wouldn't.

[Gotkenpo?]

I couldn't give two ***** what my friends think of my combat training to be perfectly honest. I know they respect ME though. However, they have seen my power, and once in a while they will try to attack me, and i'll just punch em in the face lightly or something.

[7starmantis]

Originally posted by Black Bear
Well this is the martial arts forum, not the family therapy forum... but it sounded like some of the folks might be adolescents or something, in which case what parents think does matter, and you do want to get them on board. I was thinking mainly immediate, nuclear family. Like if you have a hobby or interest that your spouse has strong negative feelings about, then that's an issue. Ah, never mind.

Yeah, I overlooked that point. This board does have many adolescents on it, and it is important for their family to agree. Mine did not, and I studied without their knowledge for a while, I wouldn't recomend that however.

7sm

[markulous]

Just because they are family doesn't mean they know what the best is for you. You should take into account everything they say and do, because it's quite possible they know something you don't. I have very few members of my family that I care about. If the ones that I did care about told me to leave martial arts, I wouldn't even hesitate with a resounding NO. And if a woman that I am married to or going out with has a problem with my martial art I would promptly show her where the door is.

I just heard this the other day: "When you are alone, who is going to be there? When you look in the mirror who are you going to see?" The answer obviously being yourself. You have to do what's right for yourself most of the time. No this does not mean be greedy, inconsiderate, and lack total empathy for the people around you. Quite the opposite. If you have a good set of morals and completely express yourself then you won't be any of those things, yet not comprimising yourself.

In other words, if something truely means the world to you, stick with it no matter what anyone says.

[Zepp]

Sometimes I wonder what my friends really think of my martial arts training. Most them have heard my story about testing at black belt camp in NY in the summer while being sick. Some of them sometimes jokingly say "don't mess with him, he's a black belt," but the way they say it makes me wonder how much their joking. One of my friends used to flinch when we were messing around with each other, as if he thought I'd really hit him. I finally told him "look dude, I give my friends a chance to take the first shot, alright?"

My girlfriend doesn't have a problem with my training, which is good, because I consider acceptance of me in martial arts to be a pre-requisite for a relationship.

I think my roommates may be scared of me. But that could just be because they've heard me muttering to myself while dragging a bulky, blood-leaking plastic garbage bag to the trunk of my car. :EG:

[RCastillo]

Originally posted by Zepp
Sometimes I wonder what my friends really think of my martial arts training. Most them have heard my story about testing at black belt camp in NY in the summer while being sick. Some of them sometimes jokingly say "don't mess with him, he's a black belt," but the way they say it makes me wonder how much their joking. One of my friends used to flinch when we were messing around with each other, as if he thought I'd really hit him. I finally told him "look dude, I give my friends a chance to take the first shot, alright?"

My girlfriend doesn't have a problem with my training, which is good, because I consider acceptance of me in martial arts to be a pre-requisite for a relationship.

I think my roommates may be scared of me. But that could just be because they've heard me muttering to myself while dragging a bulky, blood-leaking plastic garbage bag to the trunk of my car.

Well, in that case, I'd be friendly to you as well.:eek:

[Black Bear]

Originally posted by Zepp
I think my roommates may be scared of me. But that could just be because they've heard me muttering to myself while dragging a bulky, blood-leaking plastic garbage bag to the trunk of my car. :EG: Okay, you've GOT to tell us what the story is with that.

Everyone's relationship with their family is different, but I don't think it's necessarily a lack of integrity to give up something you value like MA because of your family. It's just a choice. They don't know what's best for you but usually families WANT what's best for folks. Childhood/adolescence isn't forever. And martial arts is not the only wortwhile thing in life. I suspect it's not even the MOST worthwhile thing in life.

I have a friend who's a grad student in Houston and is contemplating getting a little scooter. I mean, she's a young adult. Could be a bit hazardous. She told her dad, who nearly choked and said, "Do you want me to be able to SLEEP at night?" I think it's perfectly appropriate to take her folks' feelings into consideration when weighing the pros and cons, and in the end she will do what she thinks is right.

[Black Bear]

And I agree with the folks here saying that you should select a "partner" who shares values and interests as similar to your own as possible. The couple that plays together, stays together. ;)

If someone profoundly dislikes something that is important to you, that is going to be part of your daily life, then why would you be dating them.

[Tony]

I remember i was performing one of my forms after doing Kung Fu for 2 years. I have this so called friend who's a bit of a loud mouth, and anyway I'm trying to balance on one leg and he says "you have no balance" to which replied "ok you try"
He didn't have much of an answer after that!
Now i've been doing Kung Fu well over 5 years now and I really enjoy it and my balance has improve a lot along with everything else I think! But I try not to announce the fact I practice Kung Fu to anyone, I haven't even told my work colleagues or even put on My CV, or Resume for all the Americans here!

[Black Bear]

Americans also say CV. It is not interchangeable with resume, because resume is a summary of the most relevant or salient stuff, whereas CV is comprehensive.

In North America, it is usually only the engineer culture who include sports, recreational readings, and leisure stuff in their CV's. Engineer employers are often wary of "nerds", and want well-rounded, balanced humans. So if I as an educational consultant had

Extracurricular activities
Paisley belt in Tae Kyur Dough
awarded May 2003

on my CV or resume, I'd never get work.

[8253]

Originally posted by SolidTiger
The reason why I ask this question is because I wonder how people respect your ability, because some people think martial
arts is bull. I know because I ran into a couple, and their mostly
cowards because they know I do martial arts but they won't never test me. I guest because of a deep fear of what they don't
understand. They only know what they see on tv about martial
arts, and so they are ignorant to you skill. So it's always been a
kind of respect their always for me.

Thank You

SolidTiger



The true question should be: Do you respect your own skill?